Type-writing machine.



J J. COOPER. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR.12. 1912.

1,158,985, 1 Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

sra'rns FF c JOHN-JOSEPH coornn, OF LONDON, ENGLAND; ASSIGe-NOR-HIO uNDEnwoon'rY-PE- warren COMPANY, OF NEW Yon-K, N. 2;, "A conronn'rron or DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MAGI IN Tacit whom it may concern Be itlznown that I, J OHN JOSEPH COOPER, a 'subjectof the King of Great Britain, and resident of 120 Queen Victoriastreet, London, E." 6., England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in: Type- VVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification. I This invention relates to cylindrical platen, 'typewriting machines, and has for an object to provide means for automatically causing the lines of typewritten matter to be inscribed upon the paperobliquel-y with reference to the axisof the platen (or in other words, obliquely with reference to the parallel edges of the paper), as may he required, for example, in cases. where the words of a song are to bewritt'en upon a note sheet for a mechanically played piano which is to furnish the accompaniment the song. i

Means are provided for giving to the platen, as it is fed in the. direction of its axis, a partial rotary movement independent of that which would be due to the use of the V ordinary line-spacing mechanism, with the result that the paperbeing fed forward'(or backward, as may be required) to an extent corresponding to the angular movements formed on its surface with a helical or spiral cam. The earn shaft runs through a stationary nut having a cooperating cam surface whereby the camshaft is rotated during the travel of the carriage. The cam shaft is connected through gearing to the platen to impart rotation to the platen.

Said; gearing comprises a friction clutch in the form of a pawl" and ratchet which; Pe rmits the operation of the line sp'a'cemechanism independently of the cam: mechanism.

Other objects of the" invention will appear hereinafter.

i Specificationof Letters Batent. 'Application'filed April 12, 1912 Ser'ialNo. 690,259.

illustratea convenient arrangement embody Patented N 0v. 2, 19:15. a

ing the invention, Figure 1*is a plan" View showing so much of a typewriting machine as is necessary for explaining; the invention;

portionsof the structure being broken away for-the" sake ofconvenience. Fig. 2' is an "elevation looking fromthe left hand end of end of the 9 on the machine frame A and the shiftable platen frame B? which supports a rotary cylindrical platen C secured to a platen spindle 0 toithe right and left'hand endsof whlch are connected the usual finger-wheels G and C The platen is shiftabl'e for writing upper and lowercase letters, as is; usual and well knownin the Underwood machine.

Looselymounted on" the platen spindle is-a toothed wheel: F which is normally in driving connection with said spindle through themedlum of a pawl turning as one with the wheel F and held by spring pres.-

sureirren'gagement with a ratchet wheel H fast on the platen;spindle. The teeth of the wheel H are preferably V-shaped and radial (as indicated in Fig. 2), and the pawl Gris adapted to "over said teeth in either direction when the power applied exceeds a certainlimit. "Forthis purpose, the pawl G carries at its point a roller 9 adapted to engage between the teeth' ofthe ratchet wheel H; the pawl, whlch is orced in the direction' to; cause such engagement by means of a spring 9 being plvoted to, an varm G fast'on a Sleeve 7 which is fittedto turn on the platen spindle c, andwhich also carries the wheel F. The pawl-and ratchet wheel thus form a clutch between the-wheel F and the platen; The wheel F is constantly in gear with a toothed wheel J fast on the end} of a cam or screwshaft which, extending parallel to: the platen spindle c, ismounted to rotatein hearings and 70 carried by the movable platen 'frame B This, cam shaft K, which travels'with the frame 13 is provided with cams in the form of spiral or helical threadsk to engage a; carnlguide shown as a nut L supported by the machine frame A 50 to beprevented from participating in the longitudinal movement or the cam shaft. The screw shaft K and nut or cam-guide L thus constitute the two members of the cam mechanism already re ferred to.

When the carriage is moved laterally in either direction, the shaft K, in passing longitudinally through the stationary nut L, receives a movement of rotation in the corresponding direction, which rotary movement is transmitted to the platen C through the medium of the toothed wheels J, F and the ratchet mechanism G G, H. When, however, the lever E of the line-spacing mechanism is actuated to rotate the platen C as. usual (71. 0., without any concurrent lateral movement of the carriage), the ratchet wheel H slips freely under the spring-pressed pawl G by which it is engaged, this pawl G being prevented from rotation in consequence of the screw shaft K being then held against rotation by engagement with the stationary nut L.

In the example illustrated, the paper D represents part of a note sheet for a mechanically played piano, and as such a sheet is usually fed through the instrument in a direction the reverse of that in which the paper is fed through a typewriting machine, it is necessary that the typewritten lines (in order that they may be read with ease) should be inclined upward from left to right of the sheet. Hence the mechanism of the present invention is so designed as to cause theusual step by step travel of the carriage from right to left in the direction indicated by the arrow as (Fig. 1) 'to produce automatic rotation of the platen clockwise or in the direction of the arrow y, the paper I) consequently being-fed forwardly over the top of the platen and then downwardly and backwardly around said platen e. in the direction indicated by the arrow 2) with the result that each line of typewritten matter,

being inscribed upon the paper from left to right, assumes the oblique direction indicated by the dotted line 0?.

It will be obvious that after an oblique line of typewritten matter has been inscribed upon the paper, the latter must be advanced longitudinally in either direction to the necessary extent before another line is written, for which purpose any suitable device, as for example, either the ordinary line- I space mechanism or the finger-wheels, may

be used.

When the carriage is returned from left to right after the completion of a typewritten line, the platen will be rotated in the reverse direction, or counter-clockwise, by the action of the cam mechanism, the same distance that it was rotated clockwise during the writing of the line. If the line-space lever E, which is pivoted at e to the carriage be used to return said carriage, the platen will be rotated clockwise to advance the paper to the extent of a line-space by the actuation of the line-space mechanism asso ciated with said lever, before, or substantially before, the action of the cam mechanism commences, since the said lever virtually completes its active or working stroke before the carriage begins to move. Instead of using the lever E to return the carriage, however, the operator may, if he prefers, use the hand-wheel G which can be grasped and held against rotation during the return travel of the carriage, thereby bringing the printing point of the new line in horizontal alinement with the end of the preceding line. From such position, the platen may be rotated in either direction, as desired, by turning the hand-wheel C in the proper direction, or it may be rotated clockwise to advance the paper by operating the line-space lever E. I

To permit the nut L to shift with the carriage for writing upper-case or lower-case characters, the nut L is carried on on approximately horizontal arm M hinged by means of a pivot pin m to the framework A.

To prevent any material rotation of the nut L taking place when the carriage is raised and lowered, the nut L is provided with a radius arm Z which is inclined downward at a substantial angle and connected to the arm M by a pivot pin n. The pin a is preferably a short distance below the pin m when the carriage is lowered, and an equal distance above the pin we when the carriage is shifted to upper-case position. The upper and lower positions of the pin a are thus in vertical alinement and the angular position of the nut L the same for both upper and lower-case writing.

Variations may be resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Claims.

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of cam mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen simultaneously with its endwise movement, said mechanism embodying a part movable endwise with said platen; and a relatively stationary part coacting with said movable part to rotate the same.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of

cam mechanism for imparting a rotary' lever for rotating said platen; cam mechanism' operating independently of said linespace lever for causing said platen to rotate during its longitudinal movement; and ratchet mechanism intermediate the cam mechanism and'the platen operable to permit said platento be rotated by said linespace lever independently of said cam mechanism. v

s. In a typewriting machine, the combination'of a rotary platen, a ratchet wheel fast on the platen spindle, a spring-pressed pawl engaging said wheel and rotatable about said spindle as an axis, a screw shaft parallel to said axis and movable longitudinally with the platen, a'stationary nut engaging said screw shaft, and gearing interposedbetween the screw shaft and the rotatable pawl, for

. imparting motion to the latter, substantially as described. r

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a rotary platen, a ratchet wheel fast on the platen spindle, a spring-pressed pawl engaging said wheel and rotatable about said spindle asan axis, a screw shaft parallel with said spindle and movable longitudinally with the platen, a nut engaging said screw shaft, an arm pivoted to themachine frame and carrying said nut, said arm being positioned and adapted to permit the-platen to be shifted for upper and lower-case writing without any material rotation of said nut, and gearing interposed between the screw shaft and the rotatable pawl for i-mparting motion to the latter.

6. In a-typewriting machine, the combina tion of a carriage having 'a step-by-step movement in letter-feeding direction; a rotary platen mounted on said carriage to move endwise therewith; and means for automatically rotating said' platen throughout itsendwise movement with said carriage in such direction during the printing'operation.

7. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a carriage having a step-by-step movement in letter-feeding direction; a rotary platen mounted on said carriage to move endwise therewith; and a helicalcam connected to automatically rotate said platen throughout its endwise movement with said carriage in such direction during the printing operation 8. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a traveling carriage; a rotary platen mounted on said carriage to travel endwise therewith; meansjfor rotating said platen during its movement with said carriage; and a yielding connection between said platen-rotating means and said platen, permitting rotation of the latter independently of the former. v 9. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a rotary platen movable during the printing operation in the direction in which its axis extends, means to rotate the'platen during such printing operation and movement, and a line-space member to rotate the platen independently of movement in the direction of its axis. 1

10 In a typewriting machine, the combi nation of a traveling carriage movable in letter feedingdirection and return; a rotary platenmounted on said carriage to travel endwise therewith in opposite directions; and meansfor automatically rotating said platen simultaneously with its endwise travel. i

l 11. In atypewriting machine, the combination of a' traveling: carriage, a rotary platen thereon, a cam on the carriage to travel therewith, said cam being in the form of "a helixhaving its axis parallel with and spaced from the platen, 'a stationary cam cooperating with said helix, and gearing'between said heliX and the platen to'rot-ate the latter during'the travelof the carriage.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination witha traveling carriage, of a rotary platen mounted' on said carriage to travel therewith, and mechanism to impart a rotary movement to the platen during the travel of the carriage; said mechanism comprising means to permit rotation of the'platen' independently of the travelof the carriage.

13'; In a typewriting machine, the combi'-' nation of' a travelingjoarriage; a rotary platen mounted on 'said'carriage to travel therewith; cam-mechanism for rotating said platen including a helical cam and transmission gearing betweensaid cam and the platen. 1 V

14L; Ina typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage, of a rotary platen thereon, a device to effect rotation of the platen during the travel of the carriage in letter-feeding direction, and gearing connecting said device tothe platen; said'gearing comprising means to permit the platen to be helda'gainst rotation during the return travel or the carriage.

15. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage, of a platen ournaled in sa d carnage to travel endwise therewith, said carriage being shiftable for upper and lower-case writing, a shaft paral-.

stantially horizontal link pivoted at its ends to said arm and the machine frame respectlvely, and intermeshlng gears mounted on the platen axle and said shaft respectively.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a rotary platen, a traveling carriage on which the platen is mounted, a cam to impart a rotary movement to the platen during the travel of the carriage, and gearing'comprising a pawl and ratchet between said cam and the platen.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a traveling carriage, of a rotatable platen thereon, a shaft on the carriage parallel with the platen, means to rotate said shaft during the travel of the carriage, a gear secured to said shaft, a sleeve loose on the platen axle, a gear carried by said sleeve and meshing with said first-named gear, a ratchet wheel fixed to the platen axle, and a pawl carried by said sleeveand engaging said ratchet wheel.

19. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen during its endwise movement, said mechanism embodying a shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, a device co-acting With said shaft to rotate the same when moved endwise, and gearing between said shaft and said platen to transmit the rotary movement of the former to the latter.

20. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movableplaten; of mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen'during its endwise movement, said mechanism embodying a cam shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, and a relatively stationary cam-guide co-acting with said shaft to rotate the latter when moved endwise.

21. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen during its endwise movement, said mechanism embodying a cam shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, and a relatively stationary, hollow cam-guide through which said shaft travels when moved endwise, said guide co-acting with said shaft to rotate the latter during such travel. 22. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of mechanism for imparting a rotary move ment to said platen during its endwise movement, said mechanism embodying a .cam shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, a relatively stationary cam-guide co-acting with said shaft for rotating the latter when moved endwise, and gearing between said shaft and said platen to transmit the rotary movement of the formerto the latter; 4 7

23/111 a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwisemovable platen; of mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen during its endwise move ment, said mechanism embodying a cam shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, a relatively stationary, hollow cam-guide through which said shaft travels when moved endwise, said guide co-acting with said shaft to rotate the latter during such travel, and gearing between said shaft and said platen to transmit the rotary movement of the former to the latter.

24. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen during its endwise movement, said mechanism embodying a spirally threaded shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, and a relatively stationary nut through which said shaft travels when moved endwise, said nut having means co-acting with the threads on said shaft to rotate the latter during such travel.

25. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with an endwise-movable platen; of

mechanism for imparting a rotary movement to said platen during its'endwise movement, saidmechanism embodying a spirally threaded shaft arranged parallel with the platen and movable endwise therewith, a relatively stationary nut through which said shaft travels when moved endwise, said nut having means co-acting with the threads on said shaft to rotate the latter during such travel, and gearing between said shaft and said platen to transmit the rotary movement of the former to the latter.

26. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with a traveling carriage movable in letter-feeding direction and return; of a rotary platen mounted on said carriage to travel endwise therewith; a helical cam movable with said carriage; a cam-guide connected to rotate said cam when said car riage is moved; and a driving connection between said cam and said platen, to rotate the latter from the former.

27. In a typewriting machine, the combination, with a traveling carriage movable in letter-feeding direction and return; of a ro tary' platen mounted on said carriage to travel endwise therewith; a helical cam mounted on said carriage in spaced parallel relation with said platen, said cam being arranged to travel endwise with said can riage; a member co-acting with said cam, to rotate the same when said carriage is moved: and a driving connection between said cam and said platen, to rotate the latter from the former.

28. In a typewriting machine, the combi" nation, with a traveling carriage movable in letter-feeding direction and return; of a tion between said shaft and said platen, to V I rotary platen mounted on said carriage to rotate the latter from the former. r travel endwise therewith a threaded shaft 7 mounted on said carriagie to move there- JOHN JOSEPH COOPER with; a stationary nut in which said shaft Witnesses: I

works during the movement of thecarriage, O. J. WORTH,

to rotate said shaft; and a driving connec- L. G. MORGAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, C. 7 

